System for integrated wound analysis

Abstract

A system for integrated wound analysis; said system including sensing and image recording elements; sensed data and images of at least a first recording session stored for analysis; said system including a reference system whereby sensing and image recording of any subsequent said recording session substantially repeats sensing and recording of parameters of said first recording session.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A wound monitoring device for integrated wound analysis; said device including sensing and image recording elements; sensed data and images of at least a first recording session stored for analysis; said system including a reference system whereby sensing and image recording of any subsequent said recording session substantially repeats sensing and recording of parameters of said first recording session; said sensing and image recording elements including a distance sensor; said distance sensor determining a distance between said device and a reference mark projected by said device onto a surface adjacent said wound. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said recording parameters of said first recording session include location and disposition of said sensing and image recording elements relative a subject wound. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said recording parameters further include ambient lighting and temperature of the recording environment. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said distance sensor establishes a distance parameter of said sensing and image recording elements for a said recording session. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said reference system includes said reference mark; said reference mark a laser projected onto a body portion adjacent said wound; an image of said projected reference mark stored for comparison with a projected reference mark of any said subsequent recording session. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein a projected image of said reference mark in a said subsequent recording session sensed by said imaging element is analysed by said system; said system indicating to a user when said projected image corresponds substantially with an image of said reference mark recorded in said first recording session. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said sensing elements include temperature and ambient light sensors; said temperature and ambient light sensors establishing baseline parameters of said first recording session for comparison and adjustment of said parameters in any said subsequent recording session. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said system compensates for ambient light conditions. 
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said image recording elements include a digital camera. 
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein said digital camera is provided with a thermal imaging capability; said thermal imaging recording temperatures of said wound corrected according to variations from said base line parameter of ambient temperature. 
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 45 , wherein said system includes a view finder/display screen; said view finder/display screen acting in a first instance to display a subject wound sensed through a lens system of said digital camera; said display acting in a second instance to display simultaneously as a semi transparent overlay a previously recorded image of said subject wound and said subject wound sensed through said lens system. 
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein recorded sensed and image data is analysed by said system; analysis of said recorded data providing an output of progress of a said subject wound displayed on said view finder/display screen. 
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said view finder/display screen is further adapted to the display of recorded textual data relating to treatment of a said wound. 
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said sensing and said imaging elements and said view finder/display screen are incorporated in a single monitoring device. 
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said sensing elements, said imaging elements and said view finder/display screen are separate devices; said separate devices connected to a central data processing unit. 
     
     
         60 . A method of monitoring a wound; said method including the steps of:
 (a) projecting a reference mark onto a surface area adjacent said wound,   (b) determining a distance between a sensing and recording device and said reference mark,   (c) establishing base line parameters of conditions under which parameters of said wound are recorded in a first sensing and image recording session,   (d) recording sensing and image data of said wound in subsequent sensing and image recording sessions,   (e) analysing differences between sensed and image data of a said subsequent sensing and image recording session with sensing and image data recorded in said first sensing and image recording session to derive an output of progress of said wound.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said analysis is based on recorded temperature, colour and thermal imaging differences between said first recording session and said subsequent recording sessions. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein analysis and comparison of said sensing and image recordings of said first and subsequent recording sessions is provided by repeatability of parameters under which said sensing and image recording is conducted. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein repeatability of orientation and disposition parameters of sensing elements and imaging elements is provided by comparison of an image of a said projected reference mark with an image of said reference mark recorded in said first recording session. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claims 60 , wherein repeatability of sensing and imaging conditions of ambient light and temperature is provided by comparison of ambient light and temperature in a said subsequent recording session with corresponding ambient light and temperature recorded in said first recording session; said ambient light and temperature recorded in a said subsequent recording session compensated to correspond to said ambient light and temperature of said first recording session.